Autologous transfusions. Experience in a community blood center.

Review of the clinical records of 103 patients participating in a community-blood-bank-sponsored autologous transfusion program confirmed the safety of autologous blood and the practically of such a community-centered program. There were no transfusion reactions, increased morbidity, or reports of hepatitis among the autologous donor-patients. A previously unobserved phenomenon was that surgeons tended to transfuse less blood to patients who had autologous blood available, rarely exceeding the number donated, although this varied from one to three units for similar surgery. Only eight of the 103 patients intentionally received a transfusion with homologous blood in addition to their autologously donated blood. Patients, their physicians, and the blood bank can all benefit substantially from such a program.